Mysore Division

"Murudeshwara" also the other name of the Hindu god Shiva, is a town in the Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is Famous for the world's second-tallest Shiva statue along the beach side.

The MurudeshwaraTemple and Raja Gopura is built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Arabian Sea. It is dedicated to the Lord Shiva, and a 20-storied Gopura is constructed at the temple. The temple authorities have installed a lift that provides a breath-taking view of the 123-feet Lord Shiva idol from the top of the Raja gopura. It is the third highest statue of Lord Shiva in the world.The idol is designed such that it gets the sunlight directly and thus appears sparkling. Originally, the statue had four arms and was adorned in gold paint. However, large wind gusts blew one arm off (the one that held a small drum), and rain dissolved the paint.

There is also a Rameshwarlinga at the bottom of the hill, where devotees can do seva themselves. A Shaneswara temple has been built next to the idol of Lord Shiva. Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to it. The entire temple and temple complex, including the 237.5-feet-tall Raja Gopura, is one among the tallest.

The temple is entirely modernized with exception of the sanctum sanctorum which is still dark and retains its composure. The main deity is Sri MridesaLinga, also called Murudeswara. The devotees performing special sevas like Abhisheka, Rudrabhisheka, Rathotsava etc. can view the deity by standing before the threshold of the sanctum and the Lingam is illuminated by oil lamps held close by the priests. The Lingam is essentially a rough rock inside a hollowed spot in the ground. Entry into the sanctum is banned for all devotees.The nearest airport to MurudeshwarisMangalore International Airport at distance of 160 kilometre Murudeshwar has railway station on Konkan railway route.

ABOUT KARNATAKA

Karnataka is bordered by the Arabian Sea and the Laccadive Sea to the west, Goa to the north west, Maharashtra to the north, Telangana to the North east, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the south east, and Kerala to the south west. arnataka is the eighth largest state by population, comprising 30 districts.[Read More]